Published: Monday, February 18, 2013 at 3:01 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 18, 2013 at 3:01 p.m.

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Within 14 months, the congregation, led by the Rev. James Watts and his wife and co-pastor, the Rev. Debbie Watts, paid off a $490,000 mortgage. And they did it without holding a formal fundraiser or talking one-on-one to large donors and while the area still was reeling from a weakened economy.

The first Grand View worship service was held in September 2010 at the Hilton hotel in Gainesville, with a group of 20 to 30 people in attendance. When an empty church between Dunnellon and Ocala was found, James Watts was originally against the idea of moving there. But after the labor of tearing down and setting up their makeshift church each week at the Gainesville hotel felt like “enough,” a member spoke to Debbie Watts about the Marion County site and they decided to take a look.

In November 2010, The Wattses met with the Realtor. The following month, they signed a lease for a year.

“Pastor Debbie and I had to know it was the will of God,” James Watts said.

“All Debbie and I did was present a vision to the congregation, and the entire congregation said, ‘Yes,’ ” he added.

Within one year, church members added $150,000 to the building fund.

As the lease was ending, a call was made to Alarion Bank to inquire about rates and fees to purchase the property. The church bought the site, located at 12401 County Road 484, for $490,000 and put down $150,000 in November 2011.

Part of the church’s mission is to “help people find purpose in life,” James Watts said. And, although the congregation is very active in several local and foreign missions, such as food banks and pantries, nursing homes and refugee efforts overseas, members still were able to upgrade every room in the new building and hire staff.

On December 2012, the Rev. David Ellis, a guest minister, preached on Noah and the ark and predicted that within 40 days of 2013, the mortgage would be paid off. He had congregants mark offering envelopes with the words, “Finish the Ark.”

“That day, we had over $20,000 in seed offerings come in,” James Watts said.

In early January, a member donated two modular buildings to be dedicated for children and youth ministries as the church continued to grow.

“The point of ‘Finish the Ark’ was to pay off our building so we could build bigger children and youth facilities, so this generous gift was perfect in meeting our needs,” James Watts said.

On Feb. 7, the final payment on the mortgage was made.

“You can see what faith, hope and love in action can do,” Watts said.

On Feb. 10, the pastors held a mortgage burning ceremony in front of about 350 members of the church. Taking out a small black grill, James Watts said, “I say, let the fire fall.”

The crowd cheered as he set flame to the document and music started to play. The ashes of the mortgage paperwork were then buried beneath an oak tree on the grounds.

“We give all the glory to the Lord. What a phenomenal thing done by the handiwork of God. It’s remarkable that the church is all paid for and there are more blessings on the way,” Watts said.

“I felt joyful. It was a good feeling,” said the church’s media director Len Campbell of the mortgage burning. “We all believed we could do it and we all got it done. There is so much more to do. The money that was to go into the building will now go into the ministry.”

<p>DUNNELLON — The congregation of Grand View Church has accomplished something of a miracle. </p><p>Within 14 months, the congregation, led by the Rev. James Watts and his wife and co-pastor, the Rev. Debbie Watts, paid off a $490,000 mortgage. And they did it without holding a formal fundraiser or talking one-on-one to large donors and while the area still was reeling from a weakened economy. </p><p>The first Grand View worship service was held in September 2010 at the Hilton hotel in Gainesville, with a group of 20 to 30 people in attendance. When an empty church between Dunnellon and Ocala was found, James Watts was originally against the idea of moving there. But after the labor of tearing down and setting up their makeshift church each week at the Gainesville hotel felt like “enough,” a member spoke to Debbie Watts about the Marion County site and they decided to take a look.</p><p>In November 2010, The Wattses met with the Realtor. The following month, they signed a lease for a year.</p><p>“Pastor Debbie and I had to know it was the will of God,” James Watts said.</p><p>“All Debbie and I did was present a vision to the congregation, and the entire congregation said, 'Yes,' ” he added.</p><p>Within one year, church members added $150,000 to the building fund.</p><p>As the lease was ending, a call was made to Alarion Bank to inquire about rates and fees to purchase the property. The church bought the site, located at 12401 County Road 484, for $490,000 and put down $150,000 in November 2011.</p><p>Part of the church's mission is to “help people find purpose in life,” James Watts said. And, although the congregation is very active in several local and foreign missions, such as food banks and pantries, nursing homes and refugee efforts overseas, members still were able to upgrade every room in the new building and hire staff. </p><p>On December 2012, the Rev. David Ellis, a guest minister, preached on Noah and the ark and predicted that within 40 days of 2013, the mortgage would be paid off. He had congregants mark offering envelopes with the words, “Finish the Ark.”</p><p>“That day, we had over $20,000 in seed offerings come in,” James Watts said.</p><p>In early January, a member donated two modular buildings to be dedicated for children and youth ministries as the church continued to grow.</p><p>“The point of 'Finish the Ark' was to pay off our building so we could build bigger children and youth facilities, so this generous gift was perfect in meeting our needs,” James Watts said.</p><p>On Feb. 7, the final payment on the mortgage was made.</p><p>“You can see what faith, hope and love in action can do,” Watts said.</p><p>On Feb. 10, the pastors held a mortgage burning ceremony in front of about 350 members of the church. Taking out a small black grill, James Watts said, “I say, let the fire fall.” </p><p>The crowd cheered as he set flame to the document and music started to play. The ashes of the mortgage paperwork were then buried beneath an oak tree on the grounds.</p><p>“We give all the glory to the Lord. What a phenomenal thing done by the handiwork of God. It's remarkable that the church is all paid for and there are more blessings on the way,” Watts said.</p><p>“I felt joyful. It was a good feeling,” said the church's media director Len Campbell of the mortgage burning. “We all believed we could do it and we all got it done. There is so much more to do. The money that was to go into the building will now go into the ministry.”</p>